Word Origin & History

curse O.E. curs "a prayer that evil or harm befall one," of uncertain origin, perhaps O.Fr. curuz "anger," or L. cursus "course." Connection with cross is unlikely. No similar word exists in Gmc., Romance, or Celtic. Meaning "to swear profanely" is from c.1230. Curses as a histrionic exclamation is from 1885. The curse "menstruation" is from 1930.

Example Sentences for cursed

And all the while, till Henriques was out of hearing, he cursed me with a noble gift of tongues.

When these men were in Salt Lake City he cursed them with the curse of the church.

He sat in the growing twilight and cursed himself for a fool.

Spurning Totten's body with his naked foot, Selak cursed it.

She hated herself for the thought; she could have cursed herself.

He cursed at them as though they were dogs, and you could scarcely believe your own ears.

The mob hissed and cursed him, and tried to break through the human fortification of the front ranks.

Elshawe cursed the fact that he couldn't get a vision connection with New York.

He cursed the rain, cursed it with his fluent precision which already had earned Fat Joe's admiring comment.

Once more Gaspard cursed his horses, and once more they started off bravely.